Ever since the 1970s, hip-hop has been a staple in the music industry with multiple legends in its genre. Whether it’s lyricists like Nas or Kendrick Lamar, or rap groups like A Tribe Called Quest or the Wu-Tang Clan, multiple rappers have made a mark on music. So, here’s the list:
#10: Paid In Full — Eric B & Rakim
Back in the 1980s, hip-hop was getting started, but wasn’t as popular as other genres. However, when this album was released, an era nicknamed “The Golden Era of Hip-Hop” was starting. The Long Island duo met in 1985, and released their first single the following year. But, in 1987, they released their first studio album, named “Paid In Full.” The album contained internal rhymes, which was something that wasn’t popularized in the genre before the album was released. The album is known as one of the most influential albums of all time, containing smooth flows and beats sampling soul music. The album contained hits like “I Ain’t No Joke” and “Paid In Full.” Today, this album is acknowledged as a pioneering album in Hip-Hop and has influenced many rappers.
#9: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill — Lauryn Hill
Before this album, Lauryn Hill was an actor and, more notably, in “The Fugees,” an R&B group with Wyclef Jean and Pras, and won a Grammy for Rap Album of the Year for their album “The Score,” making her the first female to win the award. After their breakup, Hill would record her first (and only) solo album. The album itself infuses heavy R&B elements into the album, as well as reggae. Many of the songs on the album contain themes about religion, family, and relationships, and hits like “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Everything is Everyhing.” She would also become the first unaccompanied female rapper to have a number 1 debut album. This album has had critical success throughout its history and ranked #1 on Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums list.
#8: All Eyez On Me — 2Pac
In 1996, 2pac was still gaining success off of his last album, “Me Against The World,” which debuted at #1 on the billboard top 200. However, he was ready to release his next album, titled “All Eyez on Me.” Prior to the release of the album, he released 4 singles, including his biggest song “California Love.” After its release, it would end up peaking at #1 on the billboard 200. The album, itself, contained 27 tracks and was a staggering length of 132:01 minutes long (2 hours and 12 minutes). This album would also be his last album before his death, which would occur 7 months later.
#7: Madvillainy — Madvillain (MF DOOM & Madlib)
While most people haven’t heard of MF DOOM (who’s name stands for metal face and doom, which is a play on words from his last name, Dumile), people who have heard his music consider him to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. The British-born Long Beach, New York native made this album the same year that he made another great album, named Mm…Food (using the letters from his name). This album follows a story, containing multiple skits, about DOOM, also known as “The Illest Supervillain.” It contains beautiful and experimental production by Madlib, with creative samples. Tracks like “All Caps” and “Meat Grinder” showcase DOOM’s incredible and unique rhyming, and tracks like “Strange Ways” and “Accordion” show the legendary production by Madlib. In the end, this album remains as a truly outstanding and influential album.
#6: Stankonia — OutKast
2 years before this album dropped, OutKast released “Aquemini.” That album can also be considered as one of the greatest of all time, however, Stankonia is a different beast. Compared to their earlier albums, Stankonia was more fast paced and upbeat. They also used real instruments on their songs instead of electronic instruments, which was something that wasn’t popular at the time for the genre. This album contained some of their biggest hits, and remains as one of Atlanta’s best albums of all time.
#5: The Chronic — Dr. Dre
When it comes to producers, Dr. Dre stands at the top. Throughout the history of the genre, not many producers have been better than Dre. He’s also made a huge influence on today’s hip-hop genre, mentoring rappers like 2pac, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar. This album was the first of his discography, and had an immediate impact on the genre. This album stylized the g-funk sound, as heard on songs like “Dre Day” and “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang.” This album contains fresh beats by Dre with occasional rapping appearances and regular rapping appearances by Snoop Dogg (known as Snoop Doggy Dogg at the time). Nowadays, this album remains as a west coast classic and has sold nearly 6 million units.
#4: The Low End Theory — A Tribe Called Quest
Although The Chronic has influenced many rap albums, this album influenced The Chronic. According to Dre, he became inspired by the album’s “bass heavy production,” which was shown on The Chronic. This album also contains jazz-infused relaxing beats and smooth flows by rappers Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, and Ali Shaheed Mohammed. This album contains the soft-flow theme until the iconic end track “Scenario,” where Busta Rhymes has his iconic, explosive feature along with the rest of his group “Leaders of the New School.” Overall, this album is a great and relaxing album and remains as a fun listen and a classic record.
#3: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) — Wu-Tang Clan
Before this album was released, the west coast was dominating the hip-hop genre, even though it was invented in the east coast. However, in the early 90s the east coast started to become a power in the hip-hop game, with many rappers and groups dropping classics. In 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan would decide to drop their album, which would become an instant hit. At the time, the group would be made up by rapper-producer RZA and rappers GZA, ODB, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. This album contains many shaolin-inspired tracks and got its name from movies “Enter the Dragon” and “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin.” This album contains classics like “Protect Ya Neck” and “C.R.E.A.M.,” which stands for “Cash Rules Everything Around Me,” which is said in the song. Overall, this album is a hard-hitting, iconic classic that’s exciting to listen to.
#2: good kid, m.A.A.d. city — Kendrick Lamar
In 2011, Kendrick Lamar released his first album, titled “Section.80.” He was already signed to Top Dawg Entertainment, but, in 2012, signed to Dr. Dre’s record label Aftermath Records, where he would meet Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre would later become his influence on rapping and mentor him. He would release this album in the same year, having Dr. Dre on 2 of the tracks on the deluxe. This album follows the concept of Kendrick’s troubles growing up in Compton and his stories as a teen. This album contains classics like “Money Trees” and “Swimming Pools (Drank),” and showcases his talent in storytelling and lyricism in songs like “m.A.A.d. city” and “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst.”
#1: Illmatic — Nas
Although Nas was only 16 in 1990, he wanted to make rap music. He would first record “N.Y. State of Mind,” which is considered as his best song. Over the next 4 years, he would record multiple more songs, which would develop into his first album, titled “Illmatic.” The tracks would each have a different theme and emotion, going from the dark “N.Y. State of Mind” to the upbeat “The World is Yours” two tracks later. Each of the songs would contain lyrical representations of notable places in Queensbridge, which was his hometown growing up. Although he would win his first Grammy 27 years later, this album remains as one of the best rap albums of all time and one of the greatest albums overall of all time.
Next week’s list will be the top 10 rock albums, so make sure to check in next Monday to see the list!
